Sylphiette - Part 2

When my mother got home from work, I told her about Jenius' offer. Mom told me that we don't have enough money to pay my tuition, but when she went to the school to politely decline Jenius' offer, he told her that if I got accepted as a special student I would be allowed to attend for free.

A week later I found myself on school grounds to take a practical test.

Jenius was present for my examination, as well as two other men. One was a short, bald man who I later found out was the president of the university, and the other was an old man with a long white beard who was one of the professors at the academy.

The principal introduced himself as Georg, and the professor introduced himself as Tenzin. Jenius explained that, like myself, Tenzin could cast spells without incantations, but in Tenzin's case, he could only do so with wind magic.

"To begin with Sylphiette, could you please state what rank you have achieved in each school of magic that you have knowledge in?", Jenius asked.

"I am advanced rank in all schools of attack magic and intermediate ranked in healing and detoxification magic."

"Advanced rank in all schools of attack magic? That is very impressive, especially for someone so young."

"T-Thank you."

"You can also cast fire magic without the need for incantations, correct?", Jenius continued.

"Um... Yes, but it's not like I'm best at fire magic. Actually, that is the school I find the hardest to master."

"Are you saying that you can cast spells from other schools without incantations as well? Which schools are you able to cast without incantations!?"

"All of them? Is that not normal?"

"All of them!? That would make you a generational talent! If it isn't too much trouble, could I please ask you to demonstrate?"

Jenius then led our group to a large building. Inside was a very wide open area with what seemed to be some sort of practice field meant for magical training.

"Sylphiette, these practice fields are equipped with Saint tier healing and barrier magic. In addition, this building has been constructed using magic resistant bricks. It should be safe for you to cast your advanced tier attack spells within the barrier. Please demonstrate an advanced tier spell of each school of attack magic without using incantations."

As requested, I cast an advanced spell of each tier. I cast Earth Fortress, Sonic Blast, Blizzard Storm, and Exodus Flame spells.

Jenius, Georg, and Tenzin were all amazed.

"Truly astonishing!", Georg commented as I had cast my final spell.

"Indeed", Jenius said. "I think we are all in agreement that you are more than qualified for special student status."

Georg and Tenzin both shook their heads in agreement.

"Sylphiette, I would like to formally invite you to attend Ranoa Magic University. If you accept, you will be granted the privileged status of a special student. As a special student, you will be exempt from all school expenses, and given a free room in the dormitory. You will also be free to join any class of your choice and will also have access to all of the school's resources such as the library and training grounds. If you wish, you may also claim a room in the research building to conduct personal research. In addition you can also eat meals for free in the dining room as well as many other benefits reserved for special students."

Jenius listed out so many things they would give me. Can I really have all of this for free? Just because I can cast spells without the incantation?

As I continued trying to process all of this information, Jenius interrupted my thoughts to ask me again.

"What do you think, Sylphiette? Would you like to attend our school?"

"I would love to... but I should talk to my mother about this first. I can't accept an offer like this without her permission."

"Of course, of course! Please, have your mother come here and we will explain everything in detail to her."

"Ok, I will." I turned to bow to Georg and Tenzin. "Thank you for taking the time to see me today!"

"It was no trouble at all!", George answered with a smile.

"Truly, the pleasure was ours. I look forward to seeing you again", Tenzin added.

On mom's next day off, she came with me to the university. After discussing the offer with Jenius, she happily accepted the offer, on the condition that I continue to live with her at home rather than staying at the dorms.

The current schoolyear was already in progress, so we decided that I would start attending school at the start of the next schoolyear.

For now my life continued as per my new usual. I would spend my morning practicing magic and then would help Lilia work around the house and watch Norn and Aisha. Some days I went to the market with Mom or Lilia and some days they would come with me to explore the city and play.

Not that I wasn't enjoying each day as it came along, but I couldn't help but get restless whenever I thought about starting school. I was so excited, but the more I thought about it, the slower time seemed to pass. Next year seems so far away!

Time passed and finally it was the first day of school. Mom walked me to school and sent me off on my own once we reached the courtyard where we were supposed to have our opening ceremony.

My first day was very exciting. For the opening ceremony, I joined what seemed to be an endless sea of fellow students in a huge courtyard. Georg stood at a podium and gave a long and elegant speech.

After he finished his speech, three students walked up to the podium. A tall boy with blond hair gave a speech as the student council president while two beastfolk women stood beside him.

Once we were done with the opening ceremony, I made my way to my homeroom class. From what Jenius explained, I have to attend this class at least once a month, but aside from that I was free to do what I wanted.

I opened the door, excited to start my first day of school, to find... nothing. Nobody was there. Am I in the right room? There was plenty of seating for students but nobody was here.

I retraced my steps to make sure this was the correct room. It was pretty apparent that it was since I noticed a line on the floor with text reading [Beyond this point is the special students' classroom].

Since it appeared that I was in the right place, I just took a seat in the front row and waited patiently.

After about fifteen minutes or so, a demon woman walked into the room. She wore expensive looking black robes with red and silver trimmings and she had the face of a lizard with scaly looking skin.

She walked right up to me and looked down at me. I couldn't help but avert my gaze as she had a very intimidating air about her.

"Greetings. My name is Seren. It seems as though we'll be classmates starting today. It's nice to meet you."

I looked up at her with surprise clearly written on my face.

"U-uh. Thank you. My name is Syphiette."

Seren smiled and took a seat beside me. I scooted over a little to give her more room.

'Such a sweet little girl. I had assumed she was some noble's daughter to have become a special student at such a young age, but maybe not. She definitely doesn't exude the self important arrogance most nobles are known for', Seren thought as she examined Sylphiette.

Shortly afterward, the professor walked into the room and introduced herself.

"Greetings. I am professor Allison, and I will be your homeroom teacher for this year. I hope we can all get along and strive together for more knowledge and understanding of magic."

The professor gave us a more detailed explanation of what is expected of us as special students and provided us both with a handbook detailing all of the school's rules.

Halfway through the professor's explanation, the classroom doors flew open and in walked two beastfolk girls bickering with each other.

"See! I told you we were late!", the cat-type beastgirl shouted.

"That's because you got us lost!", a dog-type beastgirl, who was chewing on a piece of jerky, yelled back.

"We wouldn't have gotten lost if you didn't insist we go to the cafeteria first!"

"That's only because you slept in so late and I didn't have time to pack my snacks!"

The continued arguing with each other as they found themselves a seat at the desk nearest the window.

Once they quieted down a little, the professor took the chance to introduce them to Seren and I.

"Ah, you must be Linia and Pursena. I am Professor Allison and I will be your homeroom teacher for this year."

Linia stood up and looked towards us before loudly introducing herself to us.

"I am Linia Dedoldia, daughter of the Warrior Chief of the Dedoldia clan. At some point, I will inherit the position of the Village Chief!"

Pursena didn't bother getting up from her seat, or even looking towards us. In between bites of her jerky she managed to say, "Pursena Adoldia. I'm basically the same as Lina."

'Now that's how I would expect noble children to act', Seren thought.

Seren was the first to introduce herself back to them. "I'm Seren, a former S ranked adventurer. I've also achieved Saint tier in fire magic and Advanced tier in water and wind."

After Seren sat back down, I nervously stood up and introduced myself.

"I-I'm Sylphiette. I can cast advanced rank spells in all attack schools and intermediate ranked in healing and detoxification schools."

I was nervous meeting nobility from another race, but Linia's smile calmed me down.

"Nice to meetcha. Let's be friends, mew~"